Dear Parents/Carers,

It has been lovely to welcome the children back into school. They have been so well behaved and have settled beautifully into their new classes- they are a credit to you all and the school.

As mentioned in previous messages we are hoping for a more normal term and, as such, we have started to look at appropriate trips for the term as well as having limited visitors into school. This includes the school photographer who will be taking photographs on the 29^th September.

COVID Update:

Unfortunately, the number of COVID cases in the Neath area are very high and you will now know that that the decision has been made to move the whole of the Swansea Bay area to a ‘high risk’ category.

This will mean some further changes in school, which we hope will be temporary. These changes include:

• Forward facing seats in the junior classes with a fixed seating plan
• Masks to be worn by all people aged 12 or above (unless exempt) in communal areas of the school
• A one way system in the school building
• Outdoor activities as much as possible
• Windows open as much as possible
• Reducing interactions and maintaining social distancing e.g. no assemblies

At the moment there will be no change to the current two class/year group ‘bubbles’, although, if the area moves to a ‘very high risk’, we may be required to return to single class ‘bubbles’ temporarily.

How can parents/carers help?

• Please do not send your child to school if they have COVID symptoms. This includes a high temperature, loss of taste and smell or new continuous cough. However, we have a had a number of positive cases which have involved ‘cold symptoms’ such as sore throat, runny nose and being bunged up. If in doubt, please get your child tested. They should not be in school until they have a negative result but these are coming back very quickly at the moment.
• Please wear a mask if you need to come into the school building.
• We have a number of staff absent and there is some difficulty finding supply staff to cover them. Please bear with us if communication is slower than usual and contact the school directly with any issues.
• Please report any COVID results to the school office by phone during the school day and using the school COVID email address outside school hours. The email address is: crynalltprimary@npt.gov.uk
• Please contact the school office if your child is absent for any reason giving details of the illness, as we have to keep careful records. On occasion, the office staff are making 30-40 phone calls daily to establish why pupils are not in school.

 

PERMISSION FORMS

As most of you will know, every year we send out an overarching permission form for trips, internet use, media and emergency medical care. This form has not changed for many years but, I understand, there have been comments on Facebook about the possibility of us giving pupils vaccines without parental permission if parents sign the emergency medical consent form.

Consent for emergency medical treatment is exactly that. It is for emergencies only and does not include any routine treatment such as vaccines, weight and height checks or dental checks. It is difficult to give exact examples of the type of treatment that could constitute an emergency as it is mercifully very, very rare for us to need it. However, if your child had a medical emergency in school (seizure, heart issues, diabetic coma, serious broken bone, head injury to give some examples) we would always act to ensure the best outcome for them, especially if parents are a distance away or unavailable. This could include calling an ambulance and/or following the advice of medics when it comes to treatment that is needed immediately.

If you chose not to give this permission, please ensure that we have at least three emergency numbers of contacts that are up to date and available at short notice. This is essential to ensure the safety of your child/ren in the event of an emergency.

 

OTHER NEWS:

• I am currently completing an up to date risk assessment for the current COVID situation. This will be put onto the school website, under the COVID tab, in the next couple of days.
• As part of the Upper School topic of Christo, we need paper of all kinds that is suitable for wrapping objects. This includes wrapping paper, brown paper, newspaper and thin wallpaper. If you have any in the house, it would be gratefully received.
• The Lower School has welcomed PC Harris and Rev Lynda into school to talk to the children about their jobs and roles in the community. It was lovely to see them back in school, albeit in a socially distanced way.
• The school website is being continually updated and has lots of information about activities and the curriculum in school. The link to the website is: https://crynallt-primary-school.j2bloggy.com/
• There will be an INSET Day on Monday 1^st November and the school will be closed to pupils
• The school photographer will be in school on Wednesday 29^th September to take INDIVIDUAL photographs only. This year, due to the need to reduce movement between classes, we will be unable to take sibling groups.

Many thanks for your continuing support.

Mrs Woodford

Dear Parents and Carers,

I hope that everyone has had a lovely summer, with lots of opportunities to relax and see family after such a difficult year.

We are all looking forward to seeing the children back in school on Monday 6^th September and we are hoping for a more ‘normal’ year! We have many things planned and hope that we can actually do them over the year! More details will follow after the start of the term.

The Welsh Assembly published guidelines on Friday for the return of pupils in school but these guidelines leave many decisions to Local Authorities. As such, we will be working with the local Authority to ensure pupils’ safe return to school and will, as always, follow their advice.   All Headteachers will be meeting with the Director of Education on Monday 6^th September to discuss what restrictions, if any, will be in place in schools so I will be in a much better position to provide information to you after this.

In the meantime the following arrangements are in place for the start of term:

Children will have a staggered entry and exit to and from school on Monday 6^th September only. Arrangements for the 6^th September are below and plenty of staff will be available in the morning to guide you to the right door: 

 

Class	Entry time/door	Collection time
Nursery Miss Williams/Miss Roberts	8.45AM/12.45PM Classroom door	11.15AM/3.15PM
Reception (Miss Roberts)	8.45am Classroom door	1.00PM
Reception (Miss Hawes)	8.45AM Classroom door	1.00PM
Year 1 (Mr Fitchett)	8.55AM Classroom door  – lower school	3.25PM
Years 1/2 (Miss Evans)	8.45AM Classroom door  – lower school	3.15PM
Year 2 (Mr Bridgman)	8.55AM Classroom door  – lower school	3.25PM
Year 2/3 Miss Morgan	8.45AM Classroom door – lower school	3.15PM
Year 3 Mr Parton	8.55AM Classroom door – lower school	3.25PM
Year 4 Miss Todd	8.45AM Bottom door in the Upper School (old Year 3 exit)	3.15PM
Year 4 Mrs George	8.55AM Bottom door in the Upper School (old Year 3 exit)	3.25PM
Year 5 Mrs Gittins	8.45AM (Main Junior Entrance- up ramp)	3.15PM
Year 5 Mr Gillett	8.55AM (Main Junior Entrance- up ramp)	3.25PM
Year 6 Mrs Neal	8.45AM (Upper Playground door – Year 6 area)	3.15PM
Year 6 Miss Clemes	8.55AM (Upper Playground door – Year 6 area)	3.25PM

 

From the 7^th September, school times will revert to normal, pre Covid times:

• Reception – Year 6: 8.50am- 3.20pm (Reception pupils will finish at 1pm on both the 6^th and 7^th of September) 
• Nursery am 8.45am-11.15am
• Nursery pm: 12.45pm-3.15pm

Breakfast Club will be open as usual but, initially, space will be limited as pupils will sit in their classes. If you want to send your child to Breakfast Club and they did NOT attend last year, please contact the school office and leave a message for Mrs Bridgman who can check if we have space; 

For the time being children will remain in class ‘bubbles’ although we hope this will be temporary. Again, this will be reviewed after the meeting with the LEA on the 6^th September;

Pupils can bring bags, pencil cases and lunchboxes to school. Pupils in the Upper School who are walking home alone can bring mobile phones but these must be left in Mrs Bridgman’s office and cannot be taken into class/left in the cloakroom;

Ventilation will remain highly important for the foreseeable future. This means windows will be open. We will try to balance this with the weather conditions but please provide your child with layers if the weather is chilly.

No child should attend school with Covid symptoms. If in doubt, please book a test. 

Masks are not now compulsory on the school site, although you are welcome to wear one. However, we will ask all visitors inside the building to wear a mask;

Parents are asked not to remain in the playgrounds for any longer than necessary once the children have entered school. This will help reduce congestion and improve social distancing. 

Other Information: 

• Please name all clothing as it is almost impossible for us to return unnamed school jumpers/polo shirts to the correct child!
• A reminder for parents of pupils starting Reception:  pupils will finish at 1pm on both Monday 6^th and Tuesday 7^th of September. They will start full time on Wednesday 8^th. PLEASE NOTE: although a Schoop message went out in July explaining this, it is a change to the previous paper letter sent home and I apologise for any inconvenience caused.
• The Autumn Term topics are: 
  Nursery and Reception (Early Years): Stories 
  Years 1, 2 and 3 (Lower School): Fire, Fire! 
• Years 4, 5 and 6 (Upper School): Christo and his sculpture 

I hope that you all enjoy the rest of your holiday and that the weather is kind to us all. Please do not hesitate to contact us if you have any questions or suggestions.

Take care,

Mrs Woodford

Dear Parent/Carers,

I hope this message find you all well. I have some information and news for you regarding the rest of this term and the next academic year.

CLASS STRUCTURE FOR 2021-2022

Classes next year will be as follows:

Class	Teacher
Nursery (mornings)	Miss Williams
Nursery/Reception	Miss Roberts
Reception	Miss Hawes
Year 1	Mr Fitchett
Year 1/2	Miss Evans
Year 2	Mr Bridgman
Year 2/3	Miss Morgan
Year 3	Mr Parton
Year 4	Miss Todd
Year 4	Mrs George
Year 5	Mr Gillett
Year 5	Mrs Gittins
Year 6	Mrs Neal
Year 6	Miss Clemes

You will note that Mrs Kneath and Mr Parvin are not on the above list. Sadly, they are both leaving us in August. Mrs Kneath has decided to focus on other activities, whilst Mr Parvin has been successful in gaining the Deputy Headteacher role in Catwg Primary School. We would like to thank them both for their hard work and wish them all the best for the future.

Also leaving us is Mrs Hill who is retiring. Again, many thanks for all your hard work over the years and the best of luck to you.

We will miss all three of you very much.

FACEBOOK

Once again, the school has come under fire from a small minority of parents on the Parent’s Facebook Page for not holding a Sports Day, not having photographs and not having Parent’s Evenings this year.  This is hugely disappointing as we are relying on the support of parents in this difficult time. Each school is different in terms of size, building, staffing levels so each school has had to make their own arrangements regarding organisation this year. It has been no easy task at all and we are constantly reviewing our risk assessment.

To clarify the points raised:

• I had a meeting with other Headteachers from across NPT yesterday when this was discussed in detail so know that all schools have not had Parents Evenings, Sports Days and photographs this year. Some have managed photographs, some have had phone/Team consultations with parents and a few are having a version of Sports Day, depending on their individual risk assessments.
• We are following LEA advice not to have a Sports Day with parents in attendance/ mixed class bubbles. We could have had individual class sports days but this seemed pointless as it would be similar to a P.E. lesson! Instead, as mentioned in previous messages, we are arranging a Fun Day for each class in the last week of term.
• Legally, schools need to report to parents twice a year with one meeting and one end of year report. Traditionally, we have always had an extra Parents’ Evening in February as we value the partnership with parents. Face to face meetings are not possible this year (again we are following LEA Advice) and in February we were closed to pupils. Teachers did ring pupils regularly throughout this time and spoke to parents as well. In the Autumn Term teachers provided short written statements to parents and offered follow up phone calls if wanted. This term all parents will receive a school report again with the opportunity to speak to teachers with any queries. We will also organise a face to face Parents’ Evening as soon as we are able in the Autumn Term .
• In addition to this, the teachers in Crynallt have direct access to parents via class dojo and have sent out literally thousands of messages this year. This is not offered by all other schools.
• We have always had school photographs in September and were obviously unable to do this last year. However, a photographer has been booked for this coming September, when we hope we can offer individual photographs in a socially distanced way.

Please note, all of us in school want things to be back to normal as well and you can be assured that, as soon as we are able, events will be reinstated.

DATES FOR YOUR DIARIES

Monday 12^th-Thursday 15^th July:

Activities week for Year 6 pupils

Monday 12th July:

Transition activities for the children with their next class teacher

Reports and 2021-2022 class allocations sent home

Tuesday 13th and Wednesday 14th July:

Fun day for the children (each class will be allocated a session outside)

Thursday 15th July

Last day in school for pupils

Friday 16th July

INSET Day- no school for pupils. Staff receiving mandatory safeguarding training.

Thursday 2^nd September and Friday 3^rd September:

INSET Days

Monday 6^th September

First Day back in school for pupils.

 

Please don’t heesitate to contact the school office with any queries or suggestions.

Take care,

Mrs Woodford

 

Dear Parents/Carers,

I hope you are all enjoying the lovely weather- fingers crossed it will last for a while. The children are certainly enjoying using the outdoor area for learning.

I have a few reminders and some information/news for parents:

COVID 19

We are delighted that numbers of the virus are so low. However, we do not want to relax our routines and processes too soon, especially given the new Delta variant which is giving some concern. Given this, I need to remind parents that the wearing of masks on school grounds is mandatory, unless you are medically exempt and we may need proof of this. As things stand we do have a very small number of parents who have informed us that they are medically exempt but a lot more who are not wearing face coverings.  Some of our children are living with people who are still vulnerable and we want to ensure the safety of all our school community.  The vast majority of parents are supporting us with this but we do need 100% support. As a last resort we could refuse access to adults who are choosing not to wear a mask- we really don’t want to do this!

Next Academic Year

We are currently finalising the class structure for next year and completing reports for the children. Some dates for your diary are:

Monday 12th July:

Transition activities for the children with their next class teacher

Reports and 2021-2022 class allocations sent home

Tuesday 13th and Wednesday 14th July:

Fun day for the children (each class will be allocated a session outside)

Thursday 15th July

Last day in school for pupils

Friday 16th July

INSET Day- no school for pupils. Staff receiving mandatory safeguarding training.

Pupils arriving late

Please sign your child in at the main office if they are late to school. This is important for safety reasons, to ensure they have lunch and to make sure you don’t get a phone call to ask where they are from office staff!

Parent Questionnaire

This will be closing soon and we would love your views. The link for this is: https://forms.office.com/Pages/ResponsePage.aspx?id=Ug4_TzS3ZEGUCRtgHRR5k80RKNmy-2dNkjDB5qGCmN9UMlFMS1JVSDQ1SEtSUEFNODk5RUJCUFNBUyQlQCN0PWcu

Take care,

Mrs Woodford

Dear Parents/Carers,

The children have settled back really well after half term and we are really looking forward to a fun filled and productive final half term.

NEW CURRICULUM

I have written before about the New Curriculum for Wales which is statutory from September 2022. As a school we have been working on this for several years as a Curriculum Pioneer School for the Welsh Assembly Government so we are fortunate that the Covid pandemic has not set us back too much.  We are now looking at our school vision to update it in line with the curriculum changes. We would love your views and would be grateful if you could complete our questionnaire. It can be found by following the link below:

https://forms.office.com/Pages/ResponsePage.aspx?id=Ug4_TzS3ZEGUCRtgHRR5k80RKNmy-2dNkjDB5qGCmN9UMlFMS1JVSDQ1SEtSUEFNODk5RUJCUFNBUyQlQCN0PWcu

More information about the new curriculum can be found on the school website.

PARKING

The parking issues in the streets around the school have become quite serious with numerous complaints to ourselves and the Local Authority. Cars are parking on double yellow lines, blocking driveways and pavements as well as dropping children off and reversing out into the main road. We want to maintain good relationships with our neighbours who are understandably frustrated when trying to leave their homes. More importantly, I am seriously concerned that someone may get hurt or there could be an accident so can I ask everyone to please park with consideration when dropping children to school.

OTHER NEWS

We have continued to develop the grounds and have been really lucky to receive a donation of plants from the Cimla Tesco.

Many thanks from us all.

REMINDER: SCHOOL IS CLOSED FOR INSET ON MONDAY 7^TH JUNE. PUPILS RETURN TO SCHOOL ON TUESDAY 8^TH JUNE

Dear Parents/Carers,

As we come to the end of a half term I wanted to write with some updates, reminders and curriculum news. We have been so proud of the children. The vast majority of them have dealt with these strange times so well and they are a credit to you all. The new nursery pupils have also settled in beautifully and Miss Williams has asked me to say how pleased she is with all of them.

We have been really busy developing the school grounds and the garden areas are looking lovely. Year 3 and 4 have been working hard on the ground next to the ramp and it is really coming together! The infant area has also benefited from work and painting and is looking so much better. Well done to everyone! We would still be very grateful of donation of plants so we can continue this work.

The work on rich tasks is continuing with Year 3 designing eco-friendly bags and t shirts! I think we have some future designers in school! They have also written some lovely reports on turtles to show off their spelling and writing skills. I really enjoyed reading them.

I have a few very important reminders for parents:

• Please refrain from using Facebook to complain about members of staff. This is not appropriate as staff are not able to reply. Almost without exception, comments made are inaccurate and can be hurtful. If you have any issues please contact me directly.
• We have had numerous complaints from residents about parents parking/dropping off dangerously in Trevallen Avenue/ by the school gates, often reversing into the main road. Can I ask that you take care to drop off/park in a way that has minimal impact of local residents and ensures the safety of all our pupils?
• We are very concerned about the number of nursery pupils running up the drive at the end of the morning session. They are ahead of their parents and cannot see a car coming from around the staffroom. Cars can also not see them and we really want to avoid a child being hit. As there is only one class leaving at this time, there will be minimal crossing on the path so it would be far safer to walk up the path when the morning nursery are collected.
• Dogs are not permitted on school grounds
• The situation with Covid 19 is improving but it has not yet ‘gone away’. Schools in Cardiff and Porthcawl have had numerous cases which have resulted in hundreds of children and staff self-isolating. For this reason it is very important that we continue to wear a mask, socially distance and observe the one way system in school. Hopefully things will return to normal in September.

The Annual Report to Parents from the Governing Body is now on the website. It can be found under the Our School Tab, then Governors. If you would like a paper copy, please let the school office know and we can provide one.

We are continually reviewing the Covid 19 risk assessment. With the drop in cases we can now allow birthday cakes to be brought into school as long as they are shop bought and sealed when they come in. They will only be shared within a class bubble.

Thank you again for the support and consideration shown to staff over the past 18 months. It has made a real difference to us all and we appreciate each and every message of support.  Have a lovely half term and we will see the children back in school on Tuesday 8^th June.

Best wishes,

Helen Woodford

Dear Parents/Carers,

I hope this message finds you all safe and well. School is beginning to feel more settled now and the children continue to enjoy learning and seeing their friends despite the weather. We hope, as the term goes on, that restrictions will be lifted further and we can move towards ‘normal’ in school.

Curriculum News:

The children in the infants have been busy tidying up the playground, painting and planting. They have been making the most of our lovely outdoor areas undertaking activities such as pond dipping, Forest Schools and minibeast hunts.

In the juniors children have been learning about the Great Pacific Garbage Patch and plastic pollution. They are now planning for this term’s rich tasks! More news on these will follow in the next few weeks.

We have been very lucky to receive a grant for an outdoor classroom which will be situated on the top junior yard. This will provide opportunities for all the children to learn outside under cover! We are really excited about it.

Key Covid reminders:

• Please don’t send your child into school with anything except a named water bottle and plastic fruit boxes/ lunchbox. Pupils travelling on the bus can use a carrier bag if they are struggling to manage these items. If your child is in the juniors and is walking home alone they can also bring their mobile phone but this must be kept in the central office during the school day.
• Please continue to wear face coverings and use the one way system in school
• Please continue to let us know if your child is unwell and do not send them to school if they, or any household member, has a temperature, cough or change to taste/smell.

 

Neath and Port Talbot Message about School Attendance Video:

School brings about so many opportunities for young people to gain experiences that will set them up for life. Whether that is becoming a doctor, a teacher, an artist, a builder or a great sportsperson, to name but a few, school is essential to all young people, no matter what career path they decide to follow.

During the pandemic, the School Welfare Service spoke with some children and others to ask them a few questions about their time in school. Find out more about how our Education Welfare Service can support parents who may be experiencing difficulty in ensuring that their children attend school regularly: Here are links to the video.

https://twitter.com/NPTCouncil/status/1384575092257136643

https://www.facebook.com/NeathPortTalbotCBC/posts/3932252730164803

 

Complaints about school:

Fortunately, we have very few complaints and very many parents have been supportive of the school, especially over the past 18 months. Despite this, we know that parents will be unhappy sometimes. We are always ready to listen and take responsibility if we have made a mistake. However, we have a zero tolerance policy when it comes to the verbal or physical abuse of staff. This could result in the school taking legal advice and parents being asked to stay off the premises.

Please ensure that, if you do have an issue with school that you approach it in a controlled and polite manner at all times. On the very rare occasion that you remain unhappy, we have a Complaints Policy which we will provide for you.

Class Dojo

Class Dojo was brought in as a way to keep parents in contact with teachers, to celebrate achievements and to pass on messages. However, following a few incidents recently I would like to remind parents of the following:

• Teachers have this app on their personal mobile phones so the messages come through at any time of day, on weekends and in the evening. For this reason it is very important that unpleasant comments or complaints are not sent via dojo. Staff will not respond to complaints via Class Dojo. We do have a Complaints Policy and Mrs Bridgman and I are available to speak to if you have an issue.
• You may receive an answer to a Class Dojo message late in the evening or on weekends but please don’t rely on this.
• It is also very unlikely that the teacher would see a message or be able to respond to this message during teaching time. Teachers may be in meetings, out of school, working with children or we may have ICT issues. Also, there is sometimes a delay in you sending messages and us receiving them.
• Please ring the school office if you have an urgent message for/about a child during the school day.

Scouts

We have been asked to remind you that Beavers, Cubs and Scouts have now restarted in the Clive Roberts Hall in Cimla Crescent. Arrangements are as follows:

Beavers (5.5 – 8) Wednesdays 5.30 – 6.45pm
Cubs (8 -11) Tuesday 6pm – 8pm
Scouts (11-14) Wednesday 7pm – 9pm

Finally….

Once again, can I thank you for all your support and kind messages over the last 18 months? Please do not hesitate to contact us with any ideas or suggestions and take care,

Mrs Woodford

Dear Parents/Carers,

It has been a lovely start to the term and the children have really enjoyed being back in school with their friends. The weather has been so nice that we have really loved being outside.

The topics in school this term are:

Infants:

The Enchanted Forest

They will be learning about fairy stories, minibeasts and trees.

Juniors:

Kids against Plastic

They will be learning about materials, plastic pollution and our seas.

Covid 19

Of course, we are still very aware of the situation with Covid 19 and, although vaccinations will undoubtedly help, the virus hasn’t gone away. We are so grateful to vast majority of parents who are wearing masks on site, following the one way system and socially isolating.

Children are naturally very open and we have had many stories about sleepovers, play dates and parties! As a parent myself, I appreciate the affect this lockdown has had on children but, if they mix outside school, we are increasing the risk of the spread of Covid 19. This is especially so in children as they are often asymptomatic.

It is also very important that if your child is asked to self-isolate they do so. It is so tempting to take them out, especially with this glorious weather but, again, your child may be well in themselves but still carry the virus. A negative test result does not mean that your child is not contagious or that they will not develop symptoms during the rest of the self isolation period.

It feels as if we may be nearing the end of these strange and difficult times due to the warm weather, vaccinations and low rates of the virus. However, the impact of new variants is unknown so it is important that we continue to pull together as a community so we can maximise the chance of everyone staying well, a good summer and school staying safe and open!

A few reminders/pieces of information:

• We have noticed a number of scooters appearing on the school site. Please do not allow your child to ride a scooter or bike on site because of the risk to other people, especially during the busy drop off and pick up times.
• Dinner money arrears are taken from the school budget so please ensure you pay in good time
• We have been very lucky to receive a grant to pay for playground markings. The upper junior yard now has a racing circuit training track and the infants have a new counting snake and shapes and numbers!
• Freya Thomas (Year 6) has won the story writing competition run by Jeremy Miles (AM). She is now the proud owner of a Kindle Fire! Her story is really moving and represents the feelings of young people during this pandemic. I am sure that you would love to read her story and it seems like a lovely way to end this newsletter so here it is!

 

The Story Of Hope

Longingly, I gazed at a family photograph which included my Grandparents for I had not seen them for months and months. I wished I could run up to them and give them a great big cwtch, but I had to make do with zoom calls, which my Grandparents just could not get accustomed to. Constantly informing my Nana to unblur her background and my Grandpa would freeze in the most unflattering poses. When will this horrible time end? My Mums voice interjected into my thoughts as she repeatedly hollered “Freya, Freya, Freya!” I was awoken from my daydream startled. “It’s the most beautiful day for a hike, the sun is shining come on let’s go.” stated my Mum.

 A few moments later, we finally got out the door as we followed the pavements leading us through the back of our estate down into the Gnoll. We trekked the trails tirelessly until we reached the fourth pond. Eagerly we turned right through a gate which was as decorative as the Queen’s crown to begin our ascent up the robust road to the brow of the hill. Wearily slogging on up the hill that was as steep as a 90-degree angle looking almost impossible to climb. Soon we reached the summit my legs felt like jiggly jelly.

 What a sensational view!  It took my breath away just how beautiful the scenery looked.  Stretched out ahead of us like soldiers in a parade were rows upon rows of dark green pine trees.  Tucked in behind them were dozens of wind turbines standing like skyscrapers.  We continued along a roughshod route across a ramshackle track which led us down an uneven, rocky road through the whimsical Welsh countryside. I used my stick to steady myself as we descended the zigzag trail until eventually, we stumbled upon a river.

 A few seconds later, the river meandered, majestically through the magnificent mountainside, glistening and twinkling in the Autumnal sunshine, splashing and sploshing upon the slippery steppingstones.  My Dad beckoned me to the riverside to try and get across.  By now my brother had already leapt like a salmon in and out of the river to the other side although his shoes wet and soggy.  In the blink of an eye we were all safely across.  Squelching through the thick oozy mud leaving deep imprints of our footprints on the track we carefully choose our next step.

Suddenly I heard a whoosh above my head.  I glanced upwards to see the most majestic creature.  It swooped and soared through the sky.  “It’s a marsh harrier” declared my brother observantly.  “I’ve longed to see one of those!”  We watched in wonder and amazement; this magnificent scarce bird rarely seen around here shouted out to me that hope was not lost.

Maybe I will get to see my Grandparents after all…

Can nature really conquer all?